The truth is that a home is always cozier with one detail or another of an interior nature and, in addition, it is not always possible to have an outdoor garden, or the opportunity to take care of plants that require great maintenance. One of the great advantages of having some plants at home is that certain species help to humidify the air, as well as clean it, making them excellent detoxifiers for environments.
1. AFRICAN VIOLET
The African violet, from the son-in-law Saintpaulia, is perfect to decorate any corner of the house, whether for its beauty or its small size. For an African violet to remain in good health, it should catch plenty of light, so it should be placed next to a south-facing window, especially in winter. Water the plant only when the soil surface is dry. To get a new plant, just cut a leaf and plant it in another pot.
2. ALOE VERA
This is a plant from the succulents category. Known for its healing benefits, it is very easy to care for. As this is a plant that does not need great care, it is ideal for those who want to have a plant at home without having to worry about its maintenance. In winter, you should give it good exposure to the sun and you don’t need to water it very often: you should let the soil dry completely before watering it again. In summer, you can be outdoors. When selecting an aloe vera, make sure the leaves are plump and do not have brownish spots.
3. ELEPHANT EAR
A large plant with arrow-shaped leaves with white veins, which give it a dramatic air. As this is a tropical plant, it must be made to “think” that it is still in the wild. For this, it is important that it is at temperatures of 18ºC in winter and 20ºC in summer. You should sprinkle the leaves with water to feel moisture, keep the plant in light in winter and half shade in summer. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Water it more often in summer than winter, keeping the compost where it is, moist but not soggy. Every spring, change the potted plant. If the leaves turn brown and curled, it is a sign that you are overwatering the plant.
4. AVOCADO PLANT
Whenever you use an avocado, put its seed in a pot. As soon as the first leaf sprouts, keep the plant in a normal environment. To make it grow faster, remove any new sprouts that sprout in addition to the main one. At the end of 3 years, you will have an avocado tree over 1 meter tall.
5. BOSTON FERN
Known botanically as Nephrolepis exaltata, this elegant plant began its era of grace in Victorian times. This plant serves as a natural humidifier, absorbs pollutants and releases steam. The best way to take care of this type of plant is to simulate the tropical environment. Suspend it in a north-facing window with moderate indirect light, keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in environments between 18 to 20ºC. If the leaves turn yellow at the base, it means that the environment is too hot and should be moved; if no new leaves grow, it means that the air is very dry and lacks moisture; pale leaves with burn marks are a sign that it is being covered with too much sun and should be moved, especially in summer.
6. BROMELIAD
This set of native jungle plants love artificial light, being perfect, for example, for an office. Most bromeliads bloom once a year if the climate is hot and humid enough. Many varieties such as zebra and neoregelia tricolor maintain good foliage throughout the year. Make sure the plant has good drainage and don’t overwater it. Spray the leaves in summer with water, every 2 months, poured from top to center to simulate rain. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
7. CLIVIA MINIATA
Clivia is a lily-like plant, bursting into clusters of orange, red, or yellow flowers each spring. Loves low temperatures, between 5 and 10ºC. Like orchids, these need to feel tight in the pots, so they should only be transplanted if the pot starts to crack with the roots. Water with just enough water to prevent complete dryness, this means that you should regulate moderately between spring and summer, in autumn and winter rarely. As they are fragile plants, while they are in bud or in bloom, you should not move them.
8. CROWN OF CHRIST
Crown-of-Christ (Euphorbia milii) is a species of thorny shrub from Madagascar that blooms throughout the year and does not need much attention. If you can place it in direct sunlight, it is ideal, keeping the roots moist but not soaked, always leaving the soil surface dry before watering again. With the right amount of light, red flowers bloom all year round. You should pay attention to the spikes as this shrub has some very sharp ones, as well as when you cut some of the plant, since it sheds a white liquid that can cause skin irritations.
9. DESERT CAT
You can find this desert cactus whose top is red or yellow, with a green base, on sale in numerous places, such as simple supermarkets, being very popular due to its colors and its low maintenance. This type of cactus can be placed on any window sill, or often just mixed with other plants, in pots. Do not water it too often, always look under the pot if it is completely dry, to water it again. To simulate the desert environment, when it has dry land, you must pour a lot of water on top, thus simulating a desert rain.
10. SPIDER PLANT
One of the most used indoor plants, crorophyte reproduces very easily, pulling many shoots. This plant is an excellent air freshener, absorbing air pollutants such as xylene and formaldehyde, being a way to detoxify the house naturally. Using distilled water for watering is a good way to reduce browning spots on the leaves.
11. MOTHER-IN-LAW’S LANGUAGE
This plant apparently lives up to its name: the leaves are sharp, pointed and have a sharp tip. This plant is very difficult to kill, and you may even get bored having it around. However, it is an easy to maintain plant and a simple way to give a green touch to the house. It can grow in the shade and practically anywhere. In winter, water the plant every 2 months, in summer more often, but you can let the soil dry completely between waterings.
12. PEACE LILY
A plant that is offered for good luck is the best plant to receive direct sunlight in the warmest room of the house. The peace lily is also a plant that improves the air quality in the home, absorbing common pollutants such as benzene, as well as the toxins emitted by synthetic carpets and plastics. Keep the roots moist but not soaked, as in winter it is a plant that requires much less water, however, moisten the leaves frequently. The peace lily blooms in mid-winter, so it is an unusual flower. Transplant this plant every spring.
13. INLAND BOXWOOD
Boxwood is usually grown in topiary gardens. It grows very slowly but is great for adding to indoor gardens. To keep your boxwood in good condition, you should maintain partial or complete sun exposure, with a window or sunny room being the correct location. Put moss on top of the soil to retain moisture. Water about once a week when the soil feels dry. Prune the tree whenever necessary to maintain its format.
14. PHALAENOPSIS
The phalaenopsis, in Portuguese, falenopsis or moth orchid, loves low temperatures and humidity. This type of orchid is happiest when kept at temperatures between 18 and 20ºC in winter. To bring them to flower, it is usually necessary that at night the temperature drops to -6ºC. As they need a lot of indirect light, a window is the perfect place. Don’t overwater the orchid: phalaenopsis doesn’t need frequent rules, once every 2 weeks should be enough. Use water at room temperature, keeping some moisture in the soil, but never too much. Orchids love humidity, so spray the leaves with water once a week.
15. MING ARALIA
Decorators are fans of ming arália or polyscias fruticosa, because it resembles a Japanese oak. The secret for maintaining this plant is humidity and heat. It needs indirect light, so keep it in a space with plenty of natural light. The plant’s roots should be moistened frequently between spring and autumn, and less often between autumn and spring. To keep this plant in good health, you should have it in environments no less than 16ºC in winter. If she’s not okay, she can drop all the leaves.
16. SUCCULENTS
An essential plant for any home, it can almost be said that it does not need maintenance. Therefore, they are perfect for any place, home and person who doesn’t want to have a lot of work with plants. Ideally, stand by a window, making sure it catches plenty of light. Water only when the soil starts to dry and every 2 months in winter.
17. CYMBIDIUM SARAH JEAN
This plant demystifies the idea that orchids are only for experienced gardeners. The beautiful white flowers that bloom in a cascade bloom in the dead of winter and are perfect in a suspended vase. This orchid will live happier if it has light for about 10 to 15 hours a day, and at night it suffers a great drop in temperature. Ideally, it should be in a window facing south or west. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, reduce watering in winter and moisten the leaves occasionally.
18. JADE PLANT
Crassula ovata, also called money tree and good luck tree, is a succulent plant with great longevity. If taken care of well, it can outlive a human being. The ideal is to water this plant using the method of soaking and letting it drain, giving the soil the opportunity to dry completely before re-wetting the roots.
19. PHILODENDRONS
They come in all shapes and sizes, but they are almost always different. They like to be watered and fed moderately. You can place them in a vivarium , or give them the chance to grow and wrap around a stake or wire. Keep your place at a minimum of 13ºC during the winter and always with indirect light. In winter, keep the soil only low in moisture; in summer and fall, moisten the leaves frequently. Every couple of years transfer the plant to a larger pot in spring.
20. HYPOESTES
Also called freckles, it’s a lovely, easy-to-maintain plant that’s a great companion for other small houseplants. Some indirect light will add more vividness to your color, so ideally it is close to a window and every now and then place it outside a little to catch more light. Leaves like humidity and medium temperatures, but not too much. Transplant the plant each spring and moisten the leaves frequently. For a more compost pot and for pinker leaves, choose to plant more than one tree in the same pot.
21. CYCLAMEN
Also known as Persia Cyclamen, it is a beautiful plant in terms of foliage and flower. Although it needs some care, when it blooms in late winter, its bright flowers are worth it. Choose a plant that has at least some unopened buds, to get a longer period of flowering. This plant prefers low temperatures and indirect light, great for a space like a hallway or entrance hall in a house. A north-facing window at a location around 10 to 15°C is also a possibility. It should be watered frequently, so make sure the soil remains damp but never soaked.
22. CATO ZEBRA
Although not actually a cactus, this is a succulent plant, whose name derives from its original camouflage. It is a great first plant as it is very difficult to die. Ambient temperatures from spring to autumn are good, requiring only indirect light, but preferably bright. In winter, the ideal is to be in a window facing south. Water only when the land is
